Come Christmas time, the towns of the Northern Shenandoah Valley deck the halls for visits from Santa Claus, parades, tours, tea parties and other special holiday events. Closer to the holiday season more information about the myriad festivities will be available, but until then, here are a few of the annual staples.

Clarke County:

• Berryville's Christmas Parade, which is being sponsored by the Clarke County Ruritan Club, will take place Dec. 6 at noon. Nominations for the parade's Snow King and Queen are welcome. 955-5110

Frederick County/Winchester:

• The Old Town Christmas Parade & Santa Headquarters will take place Dec. 1 in downtown Winchester. Children can make ornaments or decorate picture frames while visiting Santa, and horse-drawn carriage rides will be available.


• Abram's Delight Museum Candlelight Tours will be offered Dec. 5 and 6, 7-9 p.m.


• Christmas Tours at Belle Grove Plantation will be offered Dec. 5-7, 12-14 and 19-23 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1 p.m.-9 p.m. Sundays. www.visitwinchesterva.com

Shenandoah County:

• Strasburg's Christmas Parade will take place Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. The parade, sponsored by Strasburg's Chamber of Commerce, is typically comprised of 30 to 40 floats, including one carrying Santa Claus. Santa Claus is usually available for photos on the evening of the parade.


• The annual Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, which will be followed by the town's Light-up Woodstock celebration, will take place Dec. 5.


• New Market's Christmas Parade will take place Dec. 6. On Dec. 6-7, Americal Legion Post 166 in New Market will host a Christmas Craft Show.

Warren County:

• Front Royal's Royal Illumination, during which the town's Christmas lights are turned on, will take place Nov. 21 5-7 p.m.


• Front Royal's Christmas Parade will take place Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. and will have a Civil War theme this year. The Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce is planning several other holiday events, including Kids Day Out, Paws and Clause, and a living nativity. 635-3185. www.frontroyalchamber.com